Phoenix

Chapter 1

I'm still lying in bed, contemplating whether or not I should go to school already. My parents have already gone to work, which isn't an uncommon statement to manifest. The awaited day is right outside my door, who knows what it can present me with this time.

Today is just another school day: AP US History, AP Calculus, AP Literature, AP Chemistry, and AP Spanish 4. One might say that I have no life because of my schedule, but these are usually the regular classes I take. I still believe they are too easy for me to take, but my parents told me I should try and stay with my age group and grade level.

Most days I will walk to school unless my parents are home, in which case, they take me. Walking to school is usually peaceful, but today just wasn't meant to be that way.

"Hey Freak." I heard a familiar voice from behind, one that brings nothing but trouble to my life. Why now of all times?

"Hey, we're talking to you." He approached me from behind, his slender figure walked a little ahead of me, but I paid no attention to him or his statement. Who is this you may ask? None other than John, a member of my usual attackers.

"Don't get too close to it, she might have a disease or something John." Chimes in Linda, another group member, slim and fit, not one to get into trouble in public areas.

Josh replied, "Don't worry, no one likes her anyway, no one would even get near her, who in god's name would?" He started laughing at his own joke, a disgusting sight to see, with his freakishly large mouth hanging open.

I just kept walking; not needing to turn around or stop. Their idiotic remarks are at the bare minimum right now, no need to tamper in it. Although it hurts sometimes, I can't let the comments get to me, anger would not help me in a 4 vs 1 situation, illogical thinking – well, for a normal person anyway. Although like I said, idiotic remarks, such low IQ's.

"Where you heading off to Freak? School?"Questions none other than Taylor, the Leader of this horrible group. She walked ahead of me with a perky smile, flipping her perfectly straight blonde hair back in the process. So annoying.

"You shouldn't be walking all alone little girl, people might come up to you and harass you or something." John said, needing to voice his useless thoughts. He ran his fingers through his somewhat long brown hair, smirking at his statement.

"Yeah, good thing we're here right? To 'protect' your pathetic ass," said Linda with a smirk on her face. The whole group started laughing, that's usually a bad sign. I'm almost at school, just 5 more minutes and I'd be there. If I walked a little faster, I could get there in half the time. I try ignoring them most times, but sometimes they can get a little too aggressive if I "annoy" them enough.

"Why you so quiet Freak? Is it because your little friends aren't here to help you? Pathetic! Try to fight your own battles for once shrimp. Come on, say something Freak!" said Taylor. She tucked her hair behind her ears, while the rest of the group continued laughing.

With a sarcastic voice, Linda said, "Maybe she's a mute Tay. Or maybe she's having trouble finding her words." She started putting her long black hair up in a ponytail.

"Maybe she is, I bet she's too dumb to speak properly." said Josh, rolling up his sleeves.

With a grin on her face, Taylor replied, "Well, then maybe we have to make her talk. You know, try to 'help' her talk."

When I heard those threatening words, I took off running to school. Not to my surprise, they chase right after me. I let them continue on with their verbal harassment, but when it comes to physical violence, I tend to draw the line. It's never been too bad, not to where I had to get very involved anyway.

I was close to reaching the corner of a building near the school. All I had to do was run at the same pace for about another minute, and I'd be at the school.

Just as I reached the corner, Taylor grabbed my hoodie, and threw me to the ground. I started crawling backwards, trying to get away, but the rest of her "pack" caught up to us.

"You're pretty fast for a pipsqueak Freak, but not fast enough to outrun me!" said Taylor as she waited for her crew. Her hair started freeing itself from behind her ear, ending up in front of her eyes.

Linda came running up, "Teach her a lesson for running from us Tay. Show her who has the real power here!"

Taylor replied with a laugh, "Alright then, my pleasure."

Real power? They had no idea what "real power" was or what it even meant, not from my consciousness anyway.

Taylor walked up to me, and started kicking me in the stomach. It hurt, not too much though, but this was only the beginning of it all..